‘Kreedom’ returns to SETX to perform at Event Centre on Nov. 9

Kree Harrison walked away from American Idol with second place and a new nickname — “Kreedom” — a name she received from R&B sensation Nicki Minaj, a polarizing Idol judge who both explicitly criticized and praised Harrison’s performances during the show’s 12th season, but also even innocently proposed to the contestant. Harrison said she walked away with more than a mere nickname and marriage proposal from a quadruple-platinum album-selling diva, however.

“I walked away appreciating that whole journey more than I thought I would,” Harrison said, “with relationships that will last long and, obviously, with the exposure and a following.”

Harrison is currently “writing her butt off,” she said, but has no specified release date for an album as of yet.

“I’m in the process of getting all the pieces of my puzzle together before a make a video and start recording,” she said.

Although she offered no sneak peek into the theme of the album, Harrison assured she would “stay true to her roots” — country music.

“I don’t think anybody will be shocked,” she said. “I’m not coming out rapping, for sure.”

Harrison said she’s never participated in a color fun run like the Compassion 5K before, but after viewing pictures of the colorful events, said she wants to take part in a run herself, sometime — not only for the excitement, but also for the cause.

“Compassion Hospice … provides hospice service to people who can’t pay for it,” she said. “I’m happy to be a part of it.”

Fans can expect to hear original tunes by Harrison from her upcoming album, as well as some classics and covers, she said.

“Any influences in my life that I have, I always try to match up with my country,” said Harrison, who said she currently enjoys listening to Charlie Worsham and Kacey Musgraves but is heavily influenced by Patsy Cline and Odis Redding. “There are quite a few, but definitely those two.”

Harrison, a Woodville native who has lived in Nashville for the past 14 years, said she is excited about returning home to Southeast Texas to perform at the Event Centre on Nov. 9.

“I’m really pumped about this show in Beaumont. I have too much pride to claim anything but Texas,” she said. “My whole family lives there. It’s a reunion, but also, it just feels good to be home.”

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